Cryptocurrencies are decentralized, fully-virtual currencies that don't require a central 3rd party like a bank or payment processor in order to use.
Cryptocurrencies are, for the most part, permissionless, meaning that no one can or will stop you from trying to use them and you don't have to jump through hoops in order to gain access to them like you might have to with setting up a bank account for example.
Cryptocurrencies also provide a number of tangible benefits over alternatives, such as the huge reduction in cost of making payments and transfers at scale. Hundreds of millions of dollars of crypto can and have been sent between parties for less than $1 many times before.
There is also significant speculatory value inherent in the cryptocurrency market because of the historic volatility of cryptos as well, with this presenting higher levels of risk for traders than are typically found in traditional finance, but also the potential for higher levels of profitability. Speculation isn't a dirty word, but has provided millions of people with a source of income and way to sustain themselves and their families, both prior to covid, and especially since then too while the mainstream global economy has been strangled to death.
